NAFTA WILL CREATE MARKET FOR U.S.

The Morning CallTHE MORNING CALL

To the Editor:

Many people are talking about what will happen if we approve the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). I think we must also consider what will happen to U.S. agricultural markets if we allow nay sayers to block NAFTA.

As a pork producer, I know that NAFTA should increase U.S. pork sales by $100 million annually. Mexico is already the U.S. pork industry's second largest and fastest growing export market. The average Mexican citizen is now spending $450 per year per person to buy American goods. It only makes sense to look south if we want to expand our agricultural sales.

On the other hand, we must look at what will happen if the United States chooses to shun the NAFTA. Congress will likely vote on the NAFTA later this year. We need for our senators and representatives to back the NAFTA because our foreign competitors, particularly the European Community, have certainly eyed Mexico as a potential market. The competition is ready to move in and establish a free trade zone with Mexico if the United States does not.